Holiday sales for November-December approached a 6% gain, which outpaced forecasts of a better holiday and year-ago performance by as much as two percentage points or more. The strength was evident across all types of brick and mortar stores—not just online….
The holidays are shaping up even better than forecast as November retail sales surged and prior months were revised upward—raising prospects for a strong consumer spending trend to start to the New Year. Store channels—primarily home improvement, electronics, and home furnishings…
Retail sales were kept on pace toward a better holiday by October sales results—although sales gains continue to favor e-commerce and in-store sales at homegoods retailers. Topline sales in October grew at the 4% or better pace expected for the holiday…
The pace of retail spending looks a bit stronger through the third quarter—between 3.5% and 4.0% growth—in the wake of September results and prior-month data revisions. The third-quarter results put retail sales on pace for a better holiday this year compared…
Retail sales gains have moderated near 3.5% growth in the back-to-school third quarter. That’s half a percentage point stronger than a year ago, although brick-and-mortar growth remains much weaker given e-commerce gains. Furniture and home improvement stores are holding up best…
Retail sales gains firmed up in July, but except for e-commerce the year-to-date trends remain weak at brick and mortar stores—and especially at apparel and department stores. The July pickup was predicted by the latest measure of consumers’ confidence to spend…
Second quarter signs of improvement in consumer spending did indeed prove short lived as indicated by the latest retail sales. The letup was predicted by recent measures of consumers’ confidence to spend over the next 90 days, which have turned flat…